Overcoming Chronic Illness: A Journey to Healing
Before getting sick, I had a very healthy Mediterranean-style diet with chicken, seafood and greens. I avoided overly processed bread or pasta and rarely had fast food, processed meats, packaged foods, sodas or juice. Knowing what I know now about salicylates, I probably couldn’t have picked worse foods to eat.
Something Just Isn’t Right
Like most people in their 20s and 30s, I ate whatever I wanted, but as I approached 40, the things I ate began to negatively affect me. I thought I must not be eating well enough. I would make an effort to eat “better” with more vegetables and organic food options, and that’s when things really spiraled out of control. It was pretty common for me to feel nauseated on a regular basis. Rashes and crazy allergy symptoms suddenly appeared with more frequency and intensity. Muscle pain and joint aches became ever-present, chronic fatigue crept into my life, and I worried about my ability to maintain a career, much less a decent quality of life.
A Hidden Poison
Every day was a repeat of the last. I felt like I was getting poisoned, but I couldn’t identify the cause. What I didn’t know at the time was that there was a common element causing my symptoms.
I visited doctor after doctor, detailing my list of symptoms. I underwent a battery of blood tests and scans, and visited an array of specialists.
I knew I could not go on like this. I was determined to find the cause of my illness.
Discovering salicylate intolerance
My Ah-Ha Moment
Fast-forward several years later, I had become chronically ill, and doctors prescribed a number of immunosuppressive drugs, including Prednisone, Azathioprine, and Mesalazine, in an urgent effort to slow my growing list of debilitating symptoms. Mesalazine, also known as Mesalamine, and sold under brand names like Delzicol, Canasa, Asacol HD, Apriso, sfRowasa, Lialda, and Pentasa, is a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) medication. I experienced immediate and severe side-effects. My heart hummed with palpitations and my digestive system was absolutely destroyed, resulting in what was basically pure mucus. Gross, I know, but it was such a distinct reaction that I googled “salicylates” to learn more about the salicylate drug Mesalazine, and it was like a lightning bolt hit me. I thought, that’s it, it all made sense.
Not So Fast
I spoke with my doctors about my suspicions, and they immediately disregarded them and demanded I stay on the Mesalazine drug. I realized then that it was up to me to find some sort of evidence, so I stopped the Mesalazine and felt better right away. After that, it took many months of narrowing down my diet to purely salicylate-free food choices and lifestyle. I kept thinking,“Surely I can eat a little tomato” (nope), “How about just a little bit of wine” (nope), or “What if I had some thin slices of prosciutto” (nope).
Don’t underestimate the power of self-discovery and perseverance
When I finally discovered a diet that I thrived on, the puzzle pieces started to fall into place. I started feeling good, really good. My symptoms began to disappear. I could leave the house. I was so happy I could cry. My tests and bloodwork came back normal. So then I stopped the other drug I was on (Azathioprine) with my doctor’s permission, and I never looked back. I regained my weight from a very anemic 134 lbs back to what I normally weighed before getting very sick. I was the living proof the doctors needed to see to finally agree with my suspicions. I am still studying my body’s reactions to ingredients, testing the fences of the intolerance, and hoping to create at least a predictable outcome with the food that I eat.
Time To Pay It Forward
After over a year and a half without drugs and a successful track record on a salicylate-free diet, I felt compelled to write this blog to help others suffering from salicylate intolerance.
